New Zealand save follow-on against Sri Lanka

Resolute batting by New Zealand's eighth-wicket pair of Jesse Ryder and Daniel Vettori denied Sri Lanka a follow-on in the first Test here on Thursday.

The duo, who came together with the Black Caps still needing 30 runs to avoid the follow-on in the rain-hit Test, put on a defiant stand of 36 after tea on the third day.

Ryder was dismissed for 42, but skipper Vettori returned unbeaten on 33 as New Zealand ended the day at 281-8, still 171 runs behind Sri Lanka's first innings total of 452.

Tailender Iain O'Brien was the other batsman at the crease on three.

Sri Lanka have two days, weather permitting, to force a win at the Galle International Stadium on a wearing wicket that has already started to assist the spinners.

"The wicket is very slow, but it will be interesting if we can set New Zealand about 300-325 runs on the last day," said the home team's star spinner and world bowling record holder, Muttiah Muralitharan.

"We must first take the last two wickets quickly. A lot will depend on the weather because we need to get two full days of cricket in."

Just 76 overs were bowled during the day after heavy rain delayed the start by 90 minutes and bad light ended play 20 minutes early. More rain is expected over this coastal town in the next two days.

The Black Caps, led by a gutsy 69 from left-handed opener Tim McIntosh, were sitting pretty at 180-3 when three wickets fell for 15 runs in the post-lunch session.

The collapse was triggered by two wickets from left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara, who had Ross Taylor caught behind for 35 and bowled Brendon McCullum for one off the inside edge.

Muralitharan had two lucky breaks when he earned a leg-before verdict against the sturdy McIntosh and had Jacob Oram caught off the pad at short-leg for 12.

Television replays showed Australian umpire Daryl Harper erred in both decisions.

The middle order collapse undid the good work of McIntosh, who hung around for six hours despite receiving two blows on his helmet and shoulder from rising deliveries by Thushara.

The 29-year-old Auckland batsman, who has a century to his credit in five previous Tests but had never played an international match outside New Zealand, hit six boundaries and a six.

McIntosh, who learnt the nuances of playing spin bowling from former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq ahead of the series, said he was pleased with his performance.

"This was a new experience for me and I tried to play for as long as possible," he said. "But one needs to convert the 50s into bigger scores.

"We lost some wickets in a heap, but Dan (Vettori) and Iain are still there and hopefully we can push on from here."

Nightwatchman Jeetan Patel helped McIntosh put on 49 for the third wicket, himself contributing 26, before he was leg-before to Muralitharan 20 minutes before lunch.

Taylor added 51 runs for the fourth wicket when he edged a well-pitched delivery from Thushara to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Muralitharan took his record tally to 773 with the wickets of McIntosh and Oram.

New Zealand play two Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and a limited-overs tri-series also featuring India during their five-week tour.